Thomas Jefferson April 13, 1743 Goochland County, Virginia – July 4, 1826 Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia Political Party: Democratic-Republican Terms: March 4, 1801 – March 11, 1809 Vice President: First term – Aaron Burr (1801-1805); Second term – George Clinton (1805-1809) Thematic Context
Thomas Jefferson’s two terms as president had a lasting impact on slavery and its legacy in the United States. Western expansion accompanied with the Louisiana Purchase established the problems that would be faced later on with keeping the balance between slave states and non-slave states. Due to this, the Missouri Compromise would become necessary during Monroe’s presidency. With the blessing of Jefferson, congress would ban the African Slave Trade in Jefferson’s second term. This would make it illegal to bring new slaves from Africa into the states. Though slavery was still legal, Jefferson thought that slavery would die out and this law would contribute in the effort. The founding fathers, though opposed to slavery morally, thought as generations passed, slavery would dwindle down. Despite the law, an illegal slave trade would continue up until the Civil War. In the end, the new land and law would contribute to tensions between the north and the south that would eventually lead to Civil War. This war, though bloody, in turn would lead to freedom for blacks declared through the Emancipation Proclamation to come to fruition throughout the nation.
Thesis
On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson would become the third president of the United States of America. This administration would be the end of Federalist domination and the beginning of a Democratic-Republican government that many thought would reduce the powers of the federal government. Ironically, Jefferson would do the opposite and overstep the boundaries outlined in the constitution. One great example of this would be the Louisiana Purchase. Despite the hypocrisy, the Louisiana Purchase would be his greatest feat. Other notable accomplishments included the free navigation and trade rights to the Mediterranean gained through the Tripolitan War, the famous expedition into the unknown by Lewis and Clark, the end of Alien and Sedition Acts, and a reduced military which reduced government spending and was appealing to members of his party. In the end, Jefferson would say his presidency had been a “splendid misery” and would even make sure it was never mentioned on his tombstone. A major failure that must have contributed to these feelings was the Embargo Act that was designed to spite French and British, but instead hurt the American economy significantly. Jefferson may not have considered his presidency satisfactory but when objectively comparing the good and the bad, his administration earns a B.
Goals
Thomas Jefferson declared he would establish a “wise and frugal government”. Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address stressed that political parties should be put away when making decisions, effort will be made to stay united despite differing opinions among people, government will simply regulate to make sure people are playing by the rules (people will be free to pursue their own business ventures, etc), freedom of religion, no alliances with other nations, freedom of press, promotion of agriculture, and promised justice granted to men of all creeds among other things. With the promises Jefferson made regarding agriculture and regulations he failed. This is due primarily to the Embargo Act which halted all legal trade with foreign nations. The economy was severely damaged and the idea of “small government” not interfering with business was evidently thrown out the window (not that the federal government was small under Jefferson’s administration). Ironically, Jefferson also contradicted the idea of a frugal government by spending fifteen million dollars on the Louisiana Purchase. At first this seemed to be in favor of slavery, however in reality the purchase would eventually be a positive move and the greatest feat in the Jefferson administration.
Relationship with Congress
Jefferson set a new standard in how a president would address congress in their First Annual Message. Washington and Adams would go in person but Jefferson would simply send a letter. Jefferson would be emulated up until Woodrow Wilson. Jefferson had large ego and was able to influence congress. This could be seen through the Embargo Act which was heavily influenced by a Jefferson who reasoned that if America cut off its exports they would be able to hurt Great Britain and France who were dependent on raw materials from the United States. This would be a substitute to a war the United States were ill prepared for because of Jefferson’s cuts in military spending (anti-navalism). During his presidency, Jefferson was able to put anything into fruition he desired and was likened to King George III after the Embargo Act. This of course is a negative example and his influence over congress led to positive things. This is why Jefferson’s administration deserves a B.
Positive event
The decision resulting in the most positive outcome during the Jefferson administration was the Louisiana Purchase. Because of the inability to put down slave revolts in Haiti, Napoleon decided it was more important to put full focus on his empire and obsession with being like Alexander the Great. This gave Jefferson the opportunity to acquire a vast amount of land which was thought to be in the possession of Spain. Inquiry into these lands was due to the Spanish banning American vessels from depositing goods in the port of New Orleans. The Louisiana Purchase covered more than what we know as Louisiana today. The land and borders, though ambiguous, stretched approximately 828,000 square miles from Mississippi river to the Rocky Mountains. This land would eventually become or become a part of fifteen different states. Inadvertently the Louisiana Purchase would also lead to freedom for slaves through the growing tensions between states as the balance of power was in free fall leading up to Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation. Despite any errors in his ways, this alone is enough to justify Jefferson’s B.
Negative event
The decision resulting in the most negative outcome during the Jefferson administration was the Embargo Act. The Embargo Act halted trade with foreign nations and banned American ships from sailing into foreign ports. This law was undoubtedly a disaster. Immediately after, a vast and complicated smuggling network would be created and the economy would take a hit. The law created to spite the French and British was a terrible failure. Jefferson’s ego must have taken a huge hit after the Bayonne Decree was issued and in all American ships lost approximately ten million dollars in cargo. Napoleon was able to justify this because through the idea that any American ships found in European ports must be British vessels with false documents. Meanwhile, British merchants enjoyed a time with no American competition. This is main reason Jefferson’s administration deserves a B and not and A.
Influential decision
The most influential decision in the Jefferson administration was to ban the African Slave Trade. Though not being heavily enforced, Jefferson felt this would contribute to slavery dying out. This was a step, though small, towards the eventual abolishment of slavery. With a smaller population there would be a smaller amount of owners and therefore reduced those in favor of slavery. Slavery could be rationalized in the eyes of some owners, but without owning a slave yourself it was much harder. With that said, the banning of new slaves from Africa coming to the United States was the most influential decision made by Jefferson and his administration. Eventually this nation would take larger leaps and those were once slaves would become productive members of society allowing America to be the diverse country that it is today.
Conclusion
The nation was in a weaker position after Jefferson came into office than when he left it. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and Jefferson had other successes but the Embargo Act was horrible in every conceivable way. The economy was devastated and it didn’t help that the Federalists were increasingly fed up due to Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase and the states to come from it would manifest itself with all the Federalist’s fears of pro-slave states seeking to gain greater control. The nation was not yet unified. Despite this, Jefferson’s terms as president would be very beneficial to the nation later on. Because of this, scholars recognize Jefferson as one of the greatest presidents and because of this his presidency described as a “splendid misery” earns a B.
Bibliography
Bailey, Thomas Andrew, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print
"Length of Inaugural Addresses - The American Presidency Project." Length of Inaugural Addresses - The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.
Smith, Carter. Presidents: All You Need to Know. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. Print.
April 13, 1743 Goochland County, Virginia – July 4, 1826 Monticello, Charlottesville, Virginia
Political Party: Democratic-Republican
Terms: March 4, 1801 – March 11, 1809
Vice President: First term – Aaron Burr (1801-1805); Second term – George Clinton (1805-1809)
Thematic Context
Thomas Jefferson’s two terms as president had a lasting impact on slavery and its legacy in the United States. Western expansion accompanied with the Louisiana Purchase established the problems that would be faced later on with keeping the balance between slave states and non-slave states. Due to this, the Missouri Compromise would become necessary during Monroe’s presidency. With the blessing of Jefferson, congress would ban the African Slave Trade in Jefferson’s second term. This would make it illegal to bring new slaves from Africa into the states. Though slavery was still legal, Jefferson thought that slavery would die out and this law would contribute in the effort. The founding fathers, though opposed to slavery morally, thought as generations passed, slavery would dwindle down. Despite the law, an illegal slave trade would continue up until the Civil War. In the end, the new land and law would contribute to tensions between the north and the south that would eventually lead to Civil War. This war, though bloody, in turn would lead to freedom for blacks declared through the Emancipation Proclamation to come to fruition throughout the nation.
Thesis
On March 4, 1801, Thomas Jefferson would become the third president of the United States of America. This administration would be the end of Federalist domination and the beginning of a Democratic-Republican government that many thought would reduce the powers of the federal government. Ironically, Jefferson would do the opposite and overstep the boundaries outlined in the constitution. One great example of this would be the Louisiana Purchase. Despite the hypocrisy, the Louisiana Purchase would be his greatest feat. Other notable accomplishments included the free navigation and trade rights to the Mediterranean gained through the Tripolitan War, the famous expedition into the unknown by Lewis and Clark, the end of Alien and Sedition Acts, and a reduced military which reduced government spending and was appealing to members of his party. In the end, Jefferson would say his presidency had been a “splendid misery” and would even make sure it was never mentioned on his tombstone. A major failure that must have contributed to these feelings was the Embargo Act that was designed to spite French and British, but instead hurt the American economy significantly. Jefferson may not have considered his presidency satisfactory but when objectively comparing the good and the bad, his administration earns a B.
Goals
Thomas Jefferson declared he would establish a “wise and frugal government”. Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address stressed that political parties should be put away when making decisions, effort will be made to stay united despite differing opinions among people, government will simply regulate to make sure people are playing by the rules (people will be free to pursue their own business ventures, etc), freedom of religion, no alliances with other nations, freedom of press, promotion of agriculture, and promised justice granted to men of all creeds among other things. With the promises Jefferson made regarding agriculture and regulations he failed. This is due primarily to the Embargo Act which halted all legal trade with foreign nations. The economy was severely damaged and the idea of “small government” not interfering with business was evidently thrown out the window (not that the federal government was small under Jefferson’s administration). Ironically, Jefferson also contradicted the idea of a frugal government by spending fifteen million dollars on the Louisiana Purchase. At first this seemed to be in favor of slavery, however in reality the purchase would eventually be a positive move and the greatest feat in the Jefferson administration.
Relationship with Congress
Jefferson set a new standard in how a president would address congress in their First Annual Message. Washington and Adams would go in person but Jefferson would simply send a letter. Jefferson would be emulated up until Woodrow Wilson. Jefferson had large ego and was able to influence congress. This could be seen through the Embargo Act which was heavily influenced by a Jefferson who reasoned that if America cut off its exports they would be able to hurt Great Britain and France who were dependent on raw materials from the United States. This would be a substitute to a war the United States were ill prepared for because of Jefferson’s cuts in military spending (anti-navalism). During his presidency, Jefferson was able to put anything into fruition he desired and was likened to King George III after the Embargo Act. This of course is a negative example and his influence over congress led to positive things. This is why Jefferson’s administration deserves a B.
Positive event
The decision resulting in the most positive outcome during the Jefferson administration was the Louisiana Purchase. Because of the inability to put down slave revolts in Haiti, Napoleon decided it was more important to put full focus on his empire and obsession with being like Alexander the Great. This gave Jefferson the opportunity to acquire a vast amount of land which was thought to be in the possession of Spain. Inquiry into these lands was due to the Spanish banning American vessels from depositing goods in the port of New Orleans. The Louisiana Purchase covered more than what we know as Louisiana today. The land and borders, though ambiguous, stretched approximately 828,000 square miles from Mississippi river to the Rocky Mountains. This land would eventually become or become a part of fifteen different states. Inadvertently the Louisiana Purchase would also lead to freedom for slaves through the growing tensions between states as the balance of power was in free fall leading up to Civil War and Emancipation Proclamation. Despite any errors in his ways, this alone is enough to justify Jefferson’s B.
Negative event
The decision resulting in the most negative outcome during the Jefferson administration was the Embargo Act. The Embargo Act halted trade with foreign nations and banned American ships from sailing into foreign ports. This law was undoubtedly a disaster. Immediately after, a vast and complicated smuggling network would be created and the economy would take a hit. The law created to spite the French and British was a terrible failure. Jefferson’s ego must have taken a huge hit after the Bayonne Decree was issued and in all American ships lost approximately ten million dollars in cargo. Napoleon was able to justify this because through the idea that any American ships found in European ports must be British vessels with false documents. Meanwhile, British merchants enjoyed a time with no American competition. This is main reason Jefferson’s administration deserves a B and not and A.
Influential decision
The most influential decision in the Jefferson administration was to ban the African Slave Trade. Though not being heavily enforced, Jefferson felt this would contribute to slavery dying out. This was a step, though small, towards the eventual abolishment of slavery. With a smaller population there would be a smaller amount of owners and therefore reduced those in favor of slavery. Slavery could be rationalized in the eyes of some owners, but without owning a slave yourself it was much harder. With that said, the banning of new slaves from Africa coming to the United States was the most influential decision made by Jefferson and his administration. Eventually this nation would take larger leaps and those were once slaves would become productive members of society allowing America to be the diverse country that it is today.
Conclusion
The nation was in a weaker position after Jefferson came into office than when he left it. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and Jefferson had other successes but the Embargo Act was horrible in every conceivable way. The economy was devastated and it didn’t help that the Federalists were increasingly fed up due to Louisiana Purchase. The Louisiana Purchase and the states to come from it would manifest itself with all the Federalist’s fears of pro-slave states seeking to gain greater control. The nation was not yet unified. Despite this, Jefferson’s terms as president would be very beneficial to the nation later on. Because of this, scholars recognize Jefferson as one of the greatest presidents and because of this his presidency described as a “splendid misery” earns a B.
Bibliography
Bailey, Thomas Andrew, David M. Kennedy, and Lizabeth Cohen. The American Pageant. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1998. Print
"Length of Inaugural Addresses - The American Presidency Project." Length of Inaugural Addresses - The American Presidency Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013.
Smith, Carter. Presidents: All You Need to Know. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. Print.